Former UFC Fighter Gunned Down in Alleged 'Targeted Attack'

Police said Mokhtarian was shot in the upper torso just after 6 p.m. local time, and despite the efforts of paramedics on the scene, he could not be revived. The attack, which police believe was targeted, marks a heartbreaking end to a life that had been defined by building up others.

The plot thickened as police revealed they received two separate reports of vehicles on fire in the area around the same time. One of these was a red Audi, which authorities confirmed matches the description of the shooter's vehicle. An active line of inquiry is now determining if these acts of arson were a deliberate attempt to destroy evidence related to the murder.

The former UFC fighter and “The Ultimate Fighter, Season 27” competitor had coincidentally survived a previous attempt on his life. In February 2024, a 21-year-old man, Noa Touma, was arrested after allegedly attempting to murder Mokhtarian outside the Australian Top Team gym. The details of that attack were equally harrowing, as police reported that Touma, disguised as a delivery driver, fired a pistol at Mokhtarian at close range while children's classes were being conducted inside the facility.

Despite the severity of the February incident, which led to charges of attempted murder, Touma was subsequently released on bail.

In the devastating wake of his passing, the legacy he built is coming into sharp focus, not just as a competitor but as a mentor. Some of his students at Australian Top Team, where he worked alongside his brother Ashkan, also a UFC veteran, took to social media to confirm the tragic news and pay tribute to him:

Suman Mokhtarian's life after the UFC was one dedicated to coaching and building up the next generation of Australian fighters. Despite the brutal nature of his unfortunate death, the tributes from his students highlight Mokhtarian's positive influence as a cornerstone coach, dedicated mentor, and beloved figure whose absence will leave a hole in Australian MMA.

Police are now tasked with untangling a complex web that potentially connects Wednesday's murder, the February shooting, and the broader criminal underworld that may have been pulling the strings.